Joburg Braces for 50-Hour Water Shutdown: Full List of Affected Areas

Major maintenance to hit water systems from 30 June to 2 July, here’s what you need to know

Johannesburg residents are being urged to prepare and store water ahead of a planned 50-hour water maintenance operation that could leave many areas without water or with drastically reduced pressure for days.

The work, announced by Johannesburg Water, will be carried out by bulk water supplier Rand Water and will affect two major systems, Eikenhof and Zwartkopjes, from Monday 30 June to Wednesday 2 July 2025.

Although emergency supply measures will be implemented where possible, officials warn that recovery could take several days beyond the official maintenance period.

Why this maintenance is happening

According to Joburg Water, the Eikenhof system will undergo repairs to fix a pipe leak near the Zuikerbosch Plant, while the Zwartkopjes system will receive critical valve replacements.

This type of preventative maintenance is necessary to avoid unexpected outages or bursts in the future, but it comes with significant short-term disruption.

Who will be affected? Here’s the breakdown

Eikenhof System (48 hours of reduced pumping)

Starts: Monday, 30 June at 5am
Duration: 48 hours
Impact: Pumping reduced to 50%

Affected areas:

• Commando System: Hursthill, Brixton, Crosby

• Lenasia Systems

• Randburg/Roodepoort Systems

• Soweto Systems

• Crown Gardens Reservoir

• Eagles Nest Reservoir

• Aeroton Reservoir

Zwartkopjes System (50 hours, no pumping at all)

Starts: Monday, 30 June at 5am
Duration: 50 hours
Impact: No pumping during the maintenance

Affected areas:

• Crown Gardens

• Eagles Nest Reservoir

• Parktown

• Berea

• Forest Hill

• Alan Manor

• Naturena

• Hector Norris Pump Station

What to expect and how to prepare

Joburg Water has urged residents in the affected areas to start storing water immediately, noting that even after the official maintenance period ends, it could take several additional days for full pressure and supply to return.

Here’s what you can do:

• Fill up containers and bath tubs before 30 June

• Stock up on bottled water for drinking and cooking

• Use water sparingly during the shutdown

• Switch off geysers to prevent potential damage when supply returns

• Keep a bucket of water in the bathroom for flushing

• Inform tenants, domestic workers, or family members

Meanwhile in Houghton: Illegal utilities crackdown

The water shutdown follows shortly after the City of Johannesburg’s public safety team and JMPD officials raided a Houghton property last week, where 90 undocumented foreign nationals were discovered living in unsafe conditions with illegal water and electricity connections.

Authorities disconnected the utilities at 8 Tenth Avenue, Houghton, reinforcing the city’s crackdown on unlawful service use amid pressure on the grid and supply networks.

Be water-wise, stay informed

While 50 hours without water is no small inconvenience, Johannesburg Water has promised regular updates during the maintenance period. Residents can monitor social media, community WhatsApp groups, and local media for real-time developments.

If you’re in an affected area, don’t delay. Plan now to avoid panic later.

{Source: The Citizen}

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